Adair Downtown serves a bevy of classics like hen and waffles, avocado toast, and turkey golf equipment.
Twenty ft under floor in downtown Houston, there’s a bustling and interconnected metropolis chock-full of eating places, salons, specialty retailers, medical workplaces, and comfort shops—a lot of which most Houston residents have by no means set foot in. Housed within the metropolis’s underground tunnel system, these companies present an air-conditioned escape for downtown employees and vacationers desperate to go about their day with out having to take care of the warmth at road degree.
The biggest in North America, Houston’s underground tunnel system is huge, stretching over 95 metropolis blocks, navigable through a six-mile community. Although the primary sections have been constructed within the Thirties, it wasn’t till the ’60s that building actually began to kick off. One in every of our favourite methods to discover the tunnels is thru its myriad meals choices. Whereas there’s loads of typical meals court docket fare on supply, there’s a rising variety of high-end eating places popping up which might be properly value a visit. Simply be sure to go to on a weekday, since many of the underground metropolis is simply open Monday by way of Friday from 6am to 6pm.
We put in our steps to deliver you this meals information to downtown Houston’s underground tunnels—whether or not you’re within the temper for standout Filipino delicacies or Mexico Metropolis–caliber road meals, there’s positive to be one thing of curiosity to you.
Tunnel Loop

Adair Downtown
This charming and relaxed restaurant from Adair Ideas serves breakfast and lunch from a uncommon window-lit portion of the tunnels. The menu revolves round American classics like hen and waffles, avocado toast, and several other sandwiches and burgers. From 3pm to 7pm, the restaurant presents bar service with cocktails and bar bites like crispy calamari, making it an ideal spot for an early blissful hour.
District 7 Grill
This informal restaurant serving American fare has every part from salads to burgers and traditional consolation meals. Take into account attempting the signature Chopped Brussels Ice Burger, a bunless dish that includes Angus beef, brussels sprouts, onions, applewood bacon, white cheddar, roasted tomatoes, avocado, poblano peppers, and jalapeños, all served over shredded iceberg lettuce. You can also’t go mistaken with District 7’s gumbo or its blackened shrimp carbonara.

Tacos A Go Go
Although its identify implies in any other case, you’ll need to come and keep for some time at Tacos A Go Go’s downtown location. In attribute trend for the restaurant chain, this location sports activities a colourful inside by which to get pleasure from some fairly stellar tacos. Professional tip: If tacos aren’t your factor, order the Totchos A Go Go, that are nachos with tater tots as an alternative of chips.
E. Mckinney Tunnel & Skywalk
Shipley Do-Nuts
Whereas there are various places of this well-known doughnut store in Houston, there’s just one that’s underground. Its location within the tunnels makes it an ideal spot for close by workplace employees trying to sweeten their morning with a fast sugar pick-me-up.
Mayuri Specific
This Indian sizzling spot options very, very low costs for the realm. From goat biryani to hen curry dosas and lamb samosas, there’s quite a bit on the menu right here, and none of it’ll value you greater than $10. When you’ve got a candy tooth, strive the restaurant’s mango lassi or some gulab jamoon, a tough deal with to search out year-round within the metropolis.
Taka Sushi & Ramen
Everybody loves an excellent combo restaurant. At Taka, you will get each sushi and ramen, in addition to small plates like seaweed salad and pork gyoza. For those who’re a downtown employee with a comfortable spot for ramen, you’re in luck: The restaurant has 5 variations on the menu, which means you’ll be able to strive a special ramen day-after-day of the week. For sushi lovers, you’ll have loads of rolls and nigiri to select from.
N. Louisiana Tunnel

Treebeards, a Cajun staple, is thought for entrées like gumbo and shrimp étouffée
Treebeards
This Cajun staple is as recognized for its entrées like gumbo and shrimp étouffée as it’s for its well-developed checklist of sides, which incorporates tempting choices like squash casserole and jalapeño corn bread. Desserts embrace a number of cake choices in addition to bread pudding with a whiskey sauce.
N. Travis Tunnel
Flip’n Patties
This Filipino restaurant, certainly one of only a handful in Houston, has every part from Filipino-inspired burgers and rice plates to desserts like halo halo. In order for you a meal with a memorable crunch, take into account ordering the lechon kawali, that includes tremendous crunchy pork stomach bites and Mang Tomas sauce, all served with garlic-toasted rice and two lumpia.
La Taquiza
Impressed by the road meals of Mexico Metropolis, La Taquiza is an genuine, one-stop store for all issues CDMX. You’ll need to strive the restaurant’s birria tacos in addition to its grande quesadilla and assortment of tortas. There’s additionally some fairly tasty fried plantains on the menu for dessert, that are greatest skilled with an accompanying glass of agua fresca.
Seaside Poke
What units this poke spot aside from the remaining is that it makes use of Texas-grown produce and sustainably caught fish in its bowls, and since you’ll be able to construct your individual bowl right here, the choices are limitless.
W. Walker Tunnel
Wok & Roll
Regardless of being positioned fully underground, this kitschy Chinese language restaurant options some charming fake architectural finishes like ornate columns and terra-cotta roof tiles, recalling classical Chinese language structure. The menu features a bevy of combo plates, fried rice and noodle choices, and bigger trays excellent for catered workplace meals.
Whataburger
Sure, Houston is residence to an underground Whataburger. We don’t make the foundations, however can you actually name your self a real Whataburger stan if you happen to haven’t feasted on a patty soften and Dr Pepper milkshake in an underground tunnel?